Page 37 of Merry with a Brewmaster
“He’s just upset and?—”
“Nope. That man has real, honest-to-God messy feelings for you, and if you’re honest with yourself, you know you have them for him too.”
“But what about my flower shop? Can I give himandHavenandmy business all the attention each deserves?”
“People run businesses all the time, and you’re an idiot if you think that man won’t be absolutely thrilled to celebrate your success with you.”
“Well, what about Haven? What will she think?”
“She’ll probably think it’s amazing to have someone so badass who loves her and her father in their lives.”
“Badass, huh?” I repeat, my lips twitching at her enthusiasm.
“Definitely,” she says with a single nod. “Now drink up because it’s about time to go get your man.”
20
VIENNA
Iscrub the pan with more enthusiasm than necessary as I wait for Wells to get home. I hate that Haven is with her mother when it was so clear she didn’t want to go. I’m mad at Wells for being an ass, but I also hate that I pushed him when he’s struggling too.
I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t hear Wells come inside.
“You teaching that pan who’s boss or what?”
“Mind your business,” I snap, rinsing it off and placing it in the drying rack with enough force the other dishes rattle.
“What happened?” he says, looking around the kitchen and living room and most likely noticing that I’ve spent the night rage cleaning.
“Nothing.” Turning the water off, I drop the sponge in the sink and spin to face him. His stupidly handsome face is marred with confusion.
“I thought you went out.” The words have an edge to them, and it takes me a second to realize he thinks I went to another bar.
I shake my head even though I’m fuming inside. Like we’d fight one time and I’d go out and mess around with someone else.
The implication hurts like hell.
“I went over to see Reece.” His eyelids flutter shut like he’s physically relieved. “But say it, Wells. Tell me you thought I was out whoring around because I was mad at you.”
“I didn’t think that,” he growls. “I don’t know what I thought. I was mad at myself for letting you leave—for being a jackass and not being able to fix it for a god damn lifetime tonight.” The words scrape as he forces them out. “And I just hoped like hell you’d be here, otherwise I’d still be out looking for you to bring you home.”
“Why?” I demand, facing off with him as everything between us finally boils over.
“Because I couldn’t stand knowing I fucked this up so bad that I wouldn’t get the chance to fix it.” He swallows hard. “And I’ve been too scared to tell you how out of my mind in love with you I am.”
“You what?” I ask, half in disbelief, half because I want to hear him say it again.
“You heard me.”
“Prove it. And you’ll owe me later for that…”
His eyes widen but it takes only a second before he’s closed the distance between us, his hand tangling in my hair as his lips crash over mine. The kiss is brutal and harsh, and my hands are still wet from the dishes as I pull myself up his body to wrap my legs around his waist.
“Fuck,” Wells grunts against my lips as I try desperately to somehow get closer to him. “Dammit, I missed you.”
“Please stop talking.”
Wrenching back, he stares at me. “Vienna, I can’t just fuck you like this. I won’t be able to give you up again. I need you to be in it.”
